Fort Lauderdale airport shooter Esteban Santiago told federal agents after carrying out his deadly rampage that he was “hearing voices,” under “government mind control” and “participating in jihadi chat rooms online” — but, at least for now, he’s not being charged with a terrorist act.
A federal grand jury on Thursday returned an indictment that includes no accusation that he was supporting a foreign terrorist group like the Islamic State, as he had suggested to FBI agents in Alaska and after the shooting. They have found no evidence on his computer, smart phone or elsewhere to support the claims he made in a confession-like statement.
Instead, the grand jury charged the 26-year-old military veteran with killing five people and injuring six others during the Jan. 6 shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The 22-count indictment is similar to the complaint filed along with his arrest three weeks ago.
The grand jury also adopted “special findings” to seek the death penalty for Santiago’s multiple murders, but that decision will ultimately rest with the U.S. attorney general. If capital punishment were dropped as an option, the New Jersey-born and Puerto Rico-raised Santiago would still face a life prison sentence.
His arraignment is scheduled for Monday in Fort Lauderdale federal court.
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Interesting that this happens right before Trump is the President and that there is pending legislation in FL to allow concealed carry in airport areas before the TSA secure zones.
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